(23/3/14)
Monetary Banter.
The thing I didn't consider about money exchange is that it's not only about the rate you see when you Google "euro to local currency".. there's also other matters such as:
Where to exchange
- local/overseas (my decision: 400euros to be exchanged local, the rest withdrawn from an atm in Europe)
-banks/money exchange merchants (my decision: merchant. Banks charge a bit more, apparently)
- which merchant (my decision: an area that has a lot of tourists, because that would mean that there'd be more competition amongst vendors)
What I failed to consider was that just because some merchants offer to sell at a lower price, doesn't mean that they actually carry the said currency. I spent a couple of hours ambling about a part of the city looking for the best price, only to discover that the merchant didn't actually have any of that currency. So I made my way to another part of the city, and thankfully, there were those who did. However, between the already high exchange rate, the merchants were selling at a much higher rate...ughh..extra money I just can't afford to part with right now.
So I settled with this one kind elderly fellow who agreed to sell me the final of his stock..a mere 355euros. Less than what I had prepared to buy. I could have easily bought some more from another merchant at a higher price, but I'll do the math first.
First of all, I'm not sure just how much I will need in terms of cold hard cash. My cc (which I finally got and activated) is offering an awesome deal on Cash Back for overseas travel, coincidentally the promotion period is within my travel time. So to me, why not? If I could get Cash Back for what I spend using the cc, why would I want to use cash? However, my friend said that I'm better off paying for the hostels using cash. I'll have to investigate more about that.
In my mind, the cash is mostly for food. This is what my European Rough Budget looks like (WARNING: It's really rough)
Per day:
Food 10 Euros
Attractions/Entrances/Transport 20 Euros
Hostel 20 Euros
Total budget per day: 50 Euros
Yes, I am aware of how steep this is.
Yes, I am aware that it is probably not logical.
Yes, I am aware that this is not in line with the Prudence Concept.
Now, assuming that I'll be there for 21 days x 10Euros/day for food, that'll bring me to 210 Euros.
I have 355.
That leaves me a balance of 145Euros; about 6Euros/day for bus rides or buying trinkets.
That is, also assuming that all attractions entrances and hostels can be paid for using cc.
Also, remember that Czech Republic has a different currency (kc); which means I'll have to either withdraw from an atm or exchange my Euros there anyways.
Packing Conundrums
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to adjust the backpack. There are so many straps and pullies and strings and hooks and clasps..
I've photographed almost everything I'm bringing, put them into individual Ziploc bags (err....I don't know how to explain that), and tried stuffing everything into the big pack, and everything fits (so far...I don't know exactly how much else I haven't included)
There is an amazing amount of stationery I want to bring.
Where do I store my phone so that it is safe from pickpockets, yet still easy to get?
I find that taking things out of the money belt is quite difficult. I'm thinking it should only be done in private (in a toilet or something). Lacking the existence of a torso, it looks like I'm scratching my boobs or something..it's obscene.
Due to a lack of torso, I find it much more comfortable for me to turn the zips side to my back. If I have my backpack covering my back, it shouldn't be a problem.
Train Worries
What does one do when they stop over at a station in the dead of the night, and have to wait for a train the next morning? Do you slap yourself silly trying to stay awake at the station? Do you sleep at the station? Are there hostels that will allow such late check-ins? Is it worth the money to pay for such hostels?
I have found train numbers and timings that are most agreeable to my schedule for each leg of my travels. Problem is, there are a few of these dead-night stop overs that I just can't seem to get around.
Hostel Matters
I have booked my first two nights stay in Paris. A place near Sacre Coeur. Used Bank B's debit card. Then today I checked, there was a mysterious deduction from the hostel booker! Oh no!
No comments:
Post a Comment